GENEVA, Feb 18 (KUNA) -- The UN Human Rights Office for the High Commissioner (OHCHR) sounded alarms on Tuesday about the rapidly worsening situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The OHCHR warned of several ongoing human rights abuses, which include the execution of children, sexual violence, and attacks on medical facilities.
In a press conference, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani confirmed reports that the Rwanda-backed M23 group had executed several children after entering Bukavu in eastern DRC last week.
Shamdasani expressed concern over the forced recruitment of children, sexual violence, and threats of death calling on Rwanda and M23 to adhere to human rights principles and respect international humanitarian law.
She also voiced worries for the safety of judges, lawyers, victims, and witnesses, many of whom fear retaliation due to their roles in prosecuting individuals accused of grave human rights violations.
Shamdasani reiterated the UN High Commissioner Volker Turk's call for an immediate halt to the violence, urging all involved parties to follow international humanitarian law particularly when it comes to protecting civilians.
In the same conference, UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh explained that the situation in eastern DRC remains challenging with recent clashes in South Kivu forcing more than 150,000 people to flee.
He added that almost 85,000 of these individuals are living in newly-built sites for internally displaced people, where basic services such as water shelter and access to health services are in short supply.
Saltmarsh reported that between 10,000 and 15,000 people crossed into Burundi recently, fleeing escalating tension and violence in the DRC.
He underscored the urgent need for humanitarian action and more resources as well as the critical importance of protecting civilians and ensuring unimpeded access to aid. (end) imk.sas